TrendWatch Report Finds 81% of Studios are Not Working in HD

New TrendWatch Special HD Use Report Surveys a Wide Range of US Studios
(November 12, 2004)

TrendWatch Inc., a leading market information company for the pro-video, visual effects, content creation and graphics markets, today announced the availability of "HD Use Report," a detailed 80-page report on the current state of HD in the U.S. Based on original TrendWatch research conducted with a wide range of U.S. studios and facilities, this report outlines the types of studios employing HD and how they are utilizing it, which HD formats are being implemented, and formats that are not being adopted.

"HD continues to be a very hot topic," said Jim Whittington, TrendWatch founding partner. "Understanding studios' adoption, preferred formats and HD uses is critical for companies seeking to market to this industry. Although HD does not make sense for every studio, for those who do adopt HD, the transition to HD ties up investment dollars that might be spent on other hardware and software products. It also defines future investment budgets and market opportunities for their HD work."

In the "HD Use Report," TrendWatch experts discuss the current state of HD use, and provide specific recommendations regarding HD use and adoption for studio/facility managers. Some key findings include:

81% of visual effects/dynamic media studios/facilities are not currently using HD

48% of those studios/facilities that don't currently use HD plan to soon

28% of studios/facilities don't use HD now and don't plan to implement it in the future

5% of studios/facilities don't know or don't want to tell us their HD use

Of those studios that use HD today, 13% acquire/shoot in HD

One-in-four independent filmmakers acquire/shoot in HD today -- more than any other market/segment.

19% of postproduction facilities - and an equivalent number of FX studios -- also currently acquire/shoot in HD

29% of mid-size (10-19 employees) studios/facilities currently acquire/shoot in HD; compared to only 11% of large (50+ employees) firms

TrendWatch reports are based on comprehensive surveys and research with today's animation and visual effects studios, postproduction facilities, audio recording/mixing studios, video editing/recording studios, independent filmmakers, corporate film and video companies, production companies, broadcast/cable studios and Web/interactive media companies. TrendWatch research methodology has been carefully developed to ensure that the studios and facilities responding to TrendWatch surveys are representative of the overall market demographics. TrendWatch market information is from primary quantitative market research designed to show trends and changes in the industry segments and markets.

Pricing and AvailabilityThe "HD Use Report," is sold separately, and priced at USD $575. For more information and details on the reports' contents, key findings and excerpts from this research, please visit www.trendwatch.com/special.html. To order, please visit the TrendWatch eStore or contact TrendWatch at (415) 380-8561 or via email at info@trendwatch.com.

About TrendWatchTrendWatch is among the most trusted and respected market information brands in the professional graphics industries. Since 1996, TrendWatch has provided an independent resource for tracking on-going business metrics. TrendWatch reports are based on original market research with studio/facility business owners/executives and used by leading suppliers and analysts.